But she didn’t want to. She wanted to continue reading. Jane’s mettle in the face of homelessness and starvation after leaving Thornfield in Jane Eyre was far easier for Grace to lose herself in than facing her own hardships.

But people had to return to their obligations and so must she.

It was with much regret that she lowered the book to find it had begun to rain outside. Surely it would not take much before water would seep into the walls and the damage became irreparable.

Then Primrose Hill Books would be no more, and everything she’d worked for would truly be gone.

Several men had arrived outside the broken shop windows with Jack in the lead. He entered the store, his cap clutched in his large hands. “I’m sorry I missed your reading.”

The other men came in behind him, shining torches along the walls and ceiling as they spoke together in low murmurs.

They couldn’t be there to—

“I had to get my crew,” Jack said. “So we can fix the shop for you.”

“I beg your pardon?” she whispered, unable to believe her ears. Surely she hadn’t heard him properly. Surely he didn’t mean—

“We’re here to fix up your shop.” He called out several orders to his men.

One of the men layered a sheet of waxed linen on the inside of a blown-out display window and nailed it to the frame. The room darkened somewhat at the blocked light.

“We’ll fix up the shop, then you can keep reading.” He winked. “These blokes haven’t heard your readings yet. Now they’re interested.”

Grace gave a little laugh that was somewhere nearer to a sob than she cared to admit. “I’ll read them any book they’d like.”

“They were hoping you’d say that.” He turned to his men and issued a series of instructions before turning back to her. “Please get some rest, Miss Bennett. Your shop will be in safe hands. We’ve worked out a system to keep watch so looters can’t come in, even through the night.”

“Jack.” Words stuck in her throat then, all the gratitude and genuine awe at such kindness. “Thank you.” It was all she could manage of the welling praise and appreciation she wished to say instead.

Mrs. Weatherford approached and put an arm around Grace’s shoulders, gently guiding her home where she gave Grace a warm meal and saw her safely tucked into bed.

Mind reeling at the twists and turns of that day, Grace gave in fully to the weariness that felt as though it was leaching her bones.